The Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe
This classic homemade lasagna recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and melted mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasions, it serves 8 people and is sure to satisfy your Italian food cravings with its hearty flavors and comforting texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Ricotta Filling:
- 16 oz full-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lasagna:
- 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic for about 1 minute, until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef and pork, cooking until no pink remains. Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Prepare the Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Add 3 lasagna noodles, then layer with ⅓ of the meat sauce, ⅓ of the ricotta filling (in dollops), and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering process two more times, ending with the remaining mozzarella and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead to deepen the flavors.
- Use fresh herbs if available, adding them towards the end of cooking for the best flavor.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meat sauce.
- Use no-boil noodles to save time, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: homemade lasagna, Italian lasagna recipe, classic lasagna, meat lasagna, ricotta lasagna
Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/the-best-homemade-lasagna-recipe/
